Motorcycle club among those paying respects to Nippers shooting victim

Dozens of people lined the wall outside Callahan Funeral Home in Nassau County waiting to pay their respects to Zachariah Tipton who was shot and killed in the parking lot of Nippers Bar and Grill in Jacksonville Beach Thursday night.

Many of the men who came to Tipton’s viewing Tuesday night rode motorcycles there and had on black, leather vests with motorcycle club insignia on the back.

A member of the club called the Black Pistons said there would be no statement from the group.

Tipton’s family also declined comment.

Local authorities have released few details about the deadly shooting.

Jacksonville Beach Police Sgt. Tommy Crumley said earlier Tuesday he’s been told not to release any information that wasn’t included in a sparse police incident report.

That report included six sentences that a responding officer filed the night of the shooting.

That officer found Tipton shot in the parking lot.

Police have said there was an altercation involving several people. According to the report, a suspect was detained that night and a witness spoke with police.

“We are working with the State Attorney’s Office to determine if charges should be filed or are appropriate to be filed,” Crumley said.

State attorney spokeswoman Jackie Barnard would not comment on the shooting, but said “This is an active investigation.”

According to an internet search of the name, Black Pistons:
Black Pistons MC
The Black Pistons Motorcycle Club (Black Pistons) is the official support club for the Outlaws Motorcycle Club (Outlaws). Established in 2002 with the backing of the Outlaws, the Black Pistons have expanded rapidly throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. The Black Pistons have an estimated 70 domestic chapters in 20 states and an unknown number of foreign chapters in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Norway and Poland. The exact number of Black Pistons members is unknown but the figure is estimated to be more than 200 in the U.S. The Outlaws use the Black Pistons chapters as a recruitment source for prospective Outlaws members. The Outlaws also use the Black Pistons chapters to conduct criminal activity, especially for the transportation and distribution of drugs. Members of the Black Pistons are also known to engage in assault, extortion, fraud, intimidation and theft.